One of the most exciting Cup Match contests in years ended in a draw at Wellington Oval, ensuring that holders St. George's retained the coveted trophy.

Entering the final session of the day, it was still any side's game to win.

Ultimately it was a swashbuckling century from St. George’s skipper Lionel Cann, who will relinquish the captaincy before next year’s match, that decided the outcome.

A year ago at Somerset, Cann had been agonisingly dismissed for 99.

While Cann was St. George’s hero, prolific run-getter Janeiro Tucker led Somerset’s charge for victory with his third century in the annual classic, his second innings knock setting up a nailbiting finish.

Playing in his final Cup Match, Charlie Marshall, who holds the record for most runs scored (1,357) in a career spanning three decades, bowed out in disappointing fashion, dismissed first ball after a stunning catch on the boundary by Dion Stovell off Jacobi Robinson.

Scores:

Somerset 124 and 338-7 dec.

St. George’s 168 and 243-6